I want to try to write a balanced review, so will start with what we enjoyed and what was good.
We stayed in Chalet Chocolat, which was comfortable and well located for going into Chamonix. We especially liked having the use of the hot tub in the evening after hikes. Trip organisation was good overall, with smooth transport to and from Geneva. Our group leader, Maria, was kind and personable; we were unlucky with the weather but he did a good job of keeping the mood upbeat and looking after a group of varying fitness levels.
The chalet experience overall unfortunately ruined the trip. I don’t know what was going on with the hosts (I won’t name them as I don’t want to single them out), who have some glowing reviews from previous guests, but it just seemed as though they had had enough and didn’t want to be there. They did what they were required to do but nothing more. Surly, unfriendly and generally as though they couldn’t be bothered and that we the guests were kind of annoying. Perhaps our expectations were too high, I’m not quite sure. Mealtimes were rushed, with it feeling as though we needed to just clear off the table as soon as possible so they could tidy up. One evening they had friends staying and were having their own little social gathering through the kitchen window – on that occasion they were in such a hurry that the main course got slammed down before we had all finished our starters. The food was sometimes nice but on the whole quite uninspiring. My vegetarian options were especially poor and on two occasions given to me burnt, with no apology or offer of an alternative. We had to constantly interrupt them from being on their phones to ask for small things like some more water for the table. One day we ran out of milk – again with no sort of apology, just “here you can have this oat milk instead”. These are all tiny things that it seems silly to complain about, but against the backdrop of the experience everything just mounted up. On the final day, no goodbye or anything, just a request that we be out of our rooms by 8am so that they could start cleaning. Exodus perhaps needs to look at giving their chalet hosts a bit more ground support – this couple seemed deeply unhappy in their job and I would always look to the company in a situation like this to find a way to make things better for everyone!
Honestly, for price point of this trip we expected a much better experience. We have stayed in chalet accommodation previously for far less money and had a lovely time. Based on the experience this time around we are unlikely to book with Exodus again.
